Portable shelter



Jan. 9, 1962 R. HARRISON ETAL 3,016,115

PORTABLE SHELTER Filed Aug. '13, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 rfl l v I INVENTORS Kak'Mz'dHa rrs'm ATTORNEY Jan..9, 1962 R. HARRISON lll, ETAL 3,016,115

PORTABLE SHELTER Filed Aug. 13, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS "United States Patent 3,016,115 PORTABLE SHELTER Richard Harrison Ill, 63 Prospect Parkway, Portsmouth,

VII-3 Henry V. Va.; and Ayler Shriver, 128 Sir Oliver Road, Norfolk,

- Filed Aug. 13, 1958, Ser. No. 754,751

7 '(ilaims. (Cl. 1892) past such shelters have consisted generally of a framework and a canvas covering. The framework usually consisted of a number of stakes and guys andrequired considerable time to erect. Also the canvas covering consisted of one or more heavy bulky pieces of canvas, and considerable time and labor were required to mount them on the framework.

Consequently, it is an object of the present invention, to provide a light-weight portable shelter which will, fold to a small compact package.

It is a further object of the invention to provide .a shelter which derives its support from its peculiar configuration obviating the necessity of providing a framework of any type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable shelter which may be carried under a persons arm and which may be easily erected and demounted by one person.

Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to persons skilled in theart from the following description when read in conjunction "with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

J. Holland, Jr., 417 Rude Blvd., Virginia Beacln'Va.

"ice

tion and demounting the present shelter are different from the shelter of out said co-pending application.

The portable shelter of the'present application may be used for beach and picnic shelters, toy houses for indoor or outdoor use, sportsmens shelters, temporary military shelters for'personnel or supplies, and for agricultural or horticultural purposes, such as the protection of shrubs or bushes which may be damaged by freezing rains during the winter. The material of which the present shel-' ter is made may be any rigid or semi-rigid sheet material, such as for example, corrugated board or the like.

As may be seen in the drawing and particularly FIG- URES l, 2 and 5, there is shown a shelter 10 in erected position. A plurality of fold lines 11 and 12 radiate from the apex to the periphery of the shelter, and define a plurality of dormer like sections or trihedral angles 13 when the shelter is erected and accordion-like pleats when the structure is demounted and folded for transportation and storage as seen in FIGURE 6. The fold lines 11 are at-the ridges of the dormer like sections and the fold lines 12 are at the valleys between the dormer like sections. For convenience in illustrating the invention, a. shelter comprising 6 dormer-like sections has been shown but the shelter may be composed of 3 or more such sections.

Each of the dormer-like sections 13 is formed of two triangular shaped plates or sheets 14, 15 of corrugated board, the material used for describing the invention. Where the shelter is for indoor use as a toy the corrugated board may be left untreated; but where the shelter is for outdoor use it may be treated with any suitable waterproofing compound, such as a natural or synthetic resin waterproof coating. Metal foil, such as aluminum foil or the like, may be used to cover the outer surface FIGURE 1 is a top view of a portable foldable shelter made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the shelter shown in FIGURE 1, a portion of the panel adjacent the placket being broken away to show the lacing;

- FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view through the ridge hinge of one of the dormerlike sections of the shelter taken on the line 3-3 of FIG- URE l, the folded position of the panels making up the dormer-like section being shown in broken lines;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view through the valley hinge of one of the dormerlike sections of the shelter taken on the line 4-4 of FIG- URE 1, the folded position of the panels being shown in broken lines; I

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation of the shelter shown in FIGURE 1 taken from a vantage point 90 to that for FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the shelter in which the hinged panels have been folded into a compact package;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the stack of hinged panels, showing the valley hinges on the right hand side of the view and the placket and ridge hinges on the left hand side taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the development of a modified form of the invention from corrugated board of the corrugated board to further weatherproof it and to insulate it from radiation.

One method of assembly provides that each of the triangular plates 14 are provided with the tabs 16, 17 and 18 defined by the crease lines 19, 20 and 21; and each of the plates 15 are provided with the tabs 22, 23 and 24 defined by the crease lines 25, 26 and 27. The crease lines 19 and 25 form a double leaf hinge at the ridge of the dormer-like sections, the plates 14 and tab 16 representing one leaf hinge and the plate 15 and tab 22 representing the other leaf hinge. The tabs 16 and 22 are fastenedtogether by any convenient means, such as a plurality of staples 28.

In a like manner the valley folds 12 have crease lines 20 and 26 formed between the plate 14 and tab 17 and plate 15 and tab 23, respectively with the tabs 17 and 23 fastened together by means of said staples 28.

The tabs 18 and 24 of the plates 14- and 15 respectively are located on the outer edges of the dormer-like sections 32 is attached or holes are provided in tabs 17, '23 at f each of the feet 31 and a tie 33, such as a rope, is fastened to each foot at the grommets or holes to circumscribe the shelter.

The length of. this circumscribing tie determines the I height H of the shelter from the ground to the apex 30 of the shelter and also the height h from the ground to the apex of "all of the triangular accesses 29 of the dormer-like sections. When the tie 33. is lengthened the shelter in FIGURE 1 covers more area, but is lower in height.

The portable-shelter of the present invention is a folded plane, each of the folds being in a reverse direction to those on either side.

To fold it accordion-like into a small package shown in FIGURE 6 it is necessary to provideaplacket; or

opening 35 Iinthe plane which extends'from theapex 30 of the structuretoits periphery. The placket- 35 may extend along one: of the fold lines 11, as: shown in" FIGURE 2, so as not to weaken a foot 31, but itmay be extended along one of the fold lines 12or it/may extcndfrom theapex 30 through any one'of the plates 14 or 15intermediate the fold lines 11 and 12. Whileonlyonev placket 35' is shown," more than one may be provided as'for example, where; a very large "shelter-isto be provided. and its weight -m-ay besuch that itcould best be transported in'halves or in'more'than one section; To form the placket 35, one of the plates 14 and one of the plates 15' is formedwith'extended'tabsE36 which are creased for hinges at 19 and. 25 andpunched' forfastening. A plurality of grommets'm-ay bespacedlongitudinally of the extended portions 36. suitable fastening means 38 releasably closesthe placket;

The tie .33. tobe fastened at each' of the' feet 31"to"givei the desired heightofsheltermay be provided" withrsev eral length adjustments. The tie may be located'above and within the shelterzconnecting leg ito leg or individual anchors may be provided at each foot.

It will readily be seen. that if the material of which the shelter .is made is'not suitable for creasing-to make.

the fold lines 11 andlZ, a flexible material or'hinge may be'joinedwto the: plates 14 and 15." along. the fold.

lines Hand E2 to form thesefoldlines.

A rope: or other lln FIGURE 8 the development from corrugated blanks of a modified form. of the'shelter of 'thepresent invention'is shown.

A pair of blanks 50, Slofcorrugated board, each pro+ Vide. one-half of. the shelter. 52, 53 are single leaf hinges andare made by simply creasing the corrugated board; The foldsi53'iare-creased in one direction to form valleys and: the folds52 are creased in theopposite direction to'form ridges'for thedormer-like sections of the shelter. The crease lines 54, 55 formed between the plate sections-56; 57and'tabs 58, 59 respectively, provide rein-forced edges'forthe access openings of the shelter when the tabs'are fastened to the plates.

A placket 6t extending transversely across theshelter' along two oppositely extending ridges are fastened together by means of interlocking tongues 61 and slots 62. To assemble the shelter when it has been punched from the corrugated board and creased as described, it is only necessary to join-the two halves of the shelteralong' the placket 60 by interlocking the tongues 61 andslots 62'; A tie (not shown) is provided-for holdingthe'shelter'in erected position. The two halves of theshelter' will each fold into a compact package; or, if only half of the placket 60 is unfastened when the shelter: is. demounted,

the shelter may be folded into one compact package.

While there has beendisclosedinthe foregoing description. apractical embodiment of the portable shelterand a modification in accordance'with' thetpresent'invem tion, itwill be understood by those skilled'fin" the art that variations in theimplementation ofthe' concept of the invention are within the invention.

What is claimed is:

purview" and 1 scope of the 1. A portable collapsible shelter comprising, .a sheet of substantially rigidmaterial 'having'a hub and'a perim-- eter. spaced therefrom, a plurality of hinge lines extending from said hub and intersecting said perimeter, ad+ jacent hinge. lines beingfoldable in" opposite directions, a tie variable-in length at will, and attachment ameansadjacent alternate hingelines and spaced'from said' hub to holdingly receive said tie, whereby said alternatezhinge:

lines may lneadjustablyv held conjointly inwardly of the hinge lines intermediate said alternate hingelines to vary the height and width of said shelter in set up condition.

In "this "case the fold' lines 2. A portable. collapsible shelter comprising; two; or

more sheets of 1 substantially rigidmaterial; each" of-said.

sheets having a hub portion; foldE'lines .radiatingapproxiemately from" eachlof 'said-.ihubirportions,a said. fold.) lines including a demountable foldable.edge'portionialong each sheet" edge, said demountable foldablewdgexportionsintersecting said hub-portions;v therhub portion' andfisaidx. demountable foldable. edge portionron" each sheetmutua Y ally registering? oooperatingmeans on' said fedgeapprtions:

to connect said sedge-portions together, alternate said ."fold:

lines. folding in an opposite direction to adjacentfold lines, adjustable securingmeans .adapted'ito'bepositioned.

along :saidlalternate fold lines remote :from said hub: por-' tion' whereby said shelter may be" adjusted in height and:

width when'inset'upcondition.

3. The portable collapsibleshelterrecited.in'rclaim 2;

wherein" the :cooperating means:- comprises cooperating;

tongue and groove connections.

4; The portable collapsiblewshelter. *recited J-ir'nclainrzS} wherein' the adjustable securing meansrcomprises' a. cir.*-

cumferential he means;

5. A portable collapsibleizshelter.comprisingrapluralitYl of similar triangularly' shaped 1. rigidi sheets; said: sheets; being hinged. together Y by fold lines forming. a. hub, cer.-" tain of *said fold 1 lines" extending front-said ihub =tocdefine-i a perimeter in setup; condition1spacedfrom :saidsh'ub; int-=- ward fold ilines" fdldin g; towards the center: of lithUSl'lelfGl;

outward fold lines adjacentieaclrs saidiinward 'foldclines; and folding away from the centerzof fthe ashelter; said ward i and: outwardufold lines beingi alternately arranged" around. said shelter;v saidrperimeter being; defined by" "the 1' ends of said "inward foldlines;accesses-to theziiriterior; of .1 the' shelter. being .providedatthe x'extremitieseof .i'th'e r said outwardt'fold lines, a said accesses *beiugziformedezb'y: adjacent sheets; means secured to adjacent 1 sheets; adjacent."

said inward foldtlines; adjacent-saidperimetertandie.

tending across said aocesses'fordeterminingthe height and 1 width of the sheltertirr a. setup: condition:

6. The portable collapsible'sh'elterasidefinedinrclaim'fi; wherein the'means secured to .adjacentfsheets 'is.-'an"adjust-' able flexibletie;

7.- A portable-collapsibleashelterrcomprisingga plurality,

of similartriangularlyshaped irigidsheets; said: sheetszb'e;

ing hingedv togetherrbyjfold ilines. forming. a hub} saidifoldi lines including a at least .onerdemountablerhinge. line;-.cer:- tain of said fold 1lineszextendingsfrom:saidhubto. defi'nesa.v perimeter in: set up 'condition .spacedifromssaidzhub; in;

ward fold" lines 'tfoldingstowards the :center. of fther. shelter;

in a set up condition; I v

1 References:-Gitedfinathesfileaofzthis:patent UNITED- S'IATES PATENTS 1,270,701 Correll T.... ..Inner-25; 1918: I 1;377,'788* Pi'ennewelli. .May '10; 1921 1,834,084- Barnes ..Dec:. 1;,1931 2,7193 84 Eames" "Oct; 4; 1955?? FOREIGN PATENTS; 71,414- Norway" .r.Dec; 23; 1946i 193;597 GreatfBi-itain tMar; 1,1923? REFERENCES? Harrison et' al;: l'ndustrialD'esignfit magazine; page": published July 1957:. 

